venial

PRONUNCIATION:

(VEE-nee-uhl, VEEN-yuhl)

MEANING:

adjective: Minor; easily excused.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin venia (forgiveness). Ultimately from the Indo-European root wen-
(to desire or to strive for), which is also the source of wish, win, ween,
overweening, venerate, venison, Venus, and banyan. Earliest documented use:
before 1300.